Return of the Cav

Dave Reardon writes a great article about former UH and current Oregon State coach Mike Cavanaugh and his relationship with UH center Samson Satele.

Hawaii tri-captain and starting center Samson Satele took it hard when Cavanaugh left for Oregon State two years ago, and he hasn't completely forgiven him. He said at one level he understands why the hugely popular Cavanaugh left UH after six years in Hawaii. But he still feels abandoned by his former position coach and mentor.

"I thought he'd stay until (fellow current seniors) Dane (Uperesa) and Tala (Esera) and I left, so I was surprised," Satele said. "But I know he had to take care of his family."

Still, Satele said he plans to take out the loss of his "grandfather" on the Oregon State players.

"Their whole defense is gonna get it," said Satele, a day after UH added a season-high 653 yards to its nation's-best total offense in beating Purdue 42-35. "From the beginning of the season we've been looking toward Dec. 2. This is going to be, I think, the best game our offensive line will ever play. It's for revenge. Hopefully Cav will be wearing a helmet and shoulder pads too."

It's great motivation, and it might sound like hate, but Satele said it isn't quite that way. He said he still talks to Cavanaugh -- but on his own terms.

"Sometimes I talk to him, sometimes I don't answer. He'll call this week, but I probably won't answer," Satele said. "He watches our games and tells us what we did right and wrong, he still coaches us. We talk mostly about football."

That's the stuff great stories are made of. Can't wait to see the Warriors O-line go off!

Stephen Tsai talks to coach June Jones, who is full of praise for Colt Brennan. Jones and Brennan talk about how Colt adjusted to the Purdue defense.

Jones said Brennan's skill was evident in the way he adjusted to Purdue's defensive scheme. In the second half, the Boilermakers switched to a four-man front, with the defensive ends stepping into the passing lanes to the flats.

"They did a great job of getting their hands up and jumping," Brennan said. "We get the ball out very quick (to the flats), and they did a great job of trying to defend it."

After three passes were knocked down, Brennan adjusted by throwing wide of the defensive ends. On the winning screen pass to Ian Sample, Brennan said, "I had to double-clutch it because (defensive end Cliff Avril) had his hands up."

Brennan said the knockdowns had little to do with his motion, which sometimes appears to be side-armed. He said, in fact, he is throwing with a three-quarter motion favored by most quarterbacks.

"There would have been way more batted balls throughout the year if there were any issues with my throwing (motion)," Brennan said.

The article concludes with the players talking about getting national respect, which they deserve!

Ferd Lewis writes about the difference between Purdue and Oregon State in their willingness to play in Hawaii.

The 24th-ranked University of Hawai'i football team plays another non-conference game against a team from a Bowl Championship Series Conference this week, but unlike recent victim Purdue, chances are you will hear little of the bleating.

Yes, like Purdue, Oregon State is coming off an emotional win over the in-state rival. And, yes, what happens in Halawa will not change the postseason for the likely Sun Bowl-bound Beavers (8-4).

But unlike Purdue, these are eager Beavers, glad to be coming. They are visitors with a purpose. And, not just for a football game or the mounds of kimchee fried rice at Big City Diner that their offensive line coach, Mike Cavanaugh, a former UH assistant, has been telling people he's looking forward to.

Oregon State has been building quite a recruiting pipeline here and Saturday's game, the first of a home-and-home series with UH, affords the opportunity to do more work on it after signing six prospects in February. Yesterday signalled the shotgun start to the NCAA's football contact period, the point when coaches can begin going into homes. Bet that the Beavers won't be shy about knocking on doors.

Man, there are quite a few really bad jokes I could make, but I'll just be quiet about it. Haha! But I agree, that BCD kimchee fried rice is ono!

And finally, Dave Reardon has his Warrior Replay, which highlights five key plays from the game. Here's one of them:

4. Game winner

The Setup: Hawaii 35, Purdue 35; 1:34 remaining, fourth quarter, Hawaii ball, second and 6 at Purdue 23.

The Play: Brennan -- given time by a key block by right tackle Dane Uperesa -- double pumps and throws a screen pass to right wide receiver Ian Sample, who cuts left and follows a wall of blockers into the end zone. The wall includes the other wideout, Jason Rivers, who knocks defensive back David Pender off his feet to enable the score.

The Impact: Brennan's 51st touchdown pass of the season puts him within three of David Klingler's single-season record, but more importantly accounts for the final points in the most exciting finish of Hawaii's season.

Sample: "Colt threw me a good ball. I followed the linemen. They blocked so far out in front and to the right (that the left) was the best route."

What an exciting play that was. Can't wait for this Saturday's game.

GO WARRIORS!!!!